 Bertha Mary (Mathison) Bond
Bertha M. Bond passed away Sunday, May 25, 2014 at the Central Montana Skilled Nursing Center in Lewistown. Bertha was born in Hot Springs, S. D., March 31, 1936 as the first child of Blanche Rahauser and Walter Mathison. Later, a sister, Helen, and a brother, Walter joined the family. Walter passed away in a logging accident in 1966. Helen survives. Bertha’s parents are deceased. Bertha’s education began in Bozeman and continued in Deer Lodge, the orphan’s home in Twin Bridges, Avon, a return to Deer Lodge, Winnemucca, Ore., and finally in 1954 High School graduation in Deer Lodge. College credits were earned at Western in Dillon and Northern in Havre. She was one of the last to be issued a two year teaching certificate. Later, a degree was realized plus a fifth year certificate. These credentials laid the foundation for a career in elementary education with an emphasis in reading and Chapter One. Her career took her to Winifred, Choteau, and Browning, all in Montana. Bertha, “Bert” as she was known to all, married Alfred Bond in the Deer Lodge Catholic Church in 1955. From this union, four children entered their lives; Charles, Denise and spouse Gary, Edmond and spouse Vicki, Frank and spouse Genny. Numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren expanded the family tree. Bert’s life was enriched with the lifelong support, guidance, and love from Marie and Clifford Gilbert and family from Deer Lodge. Aside from being a compassionate mother, wife, and educator Bert was a gifted reader and sports fan. She was the total package – a lady. She will be forever missed. Memorial donations can be made in Bert’s name to a local Dementia/Alzheimer’s Organization or your local library. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 2, 2014, 1 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church in Deer Lodge. Rite of Committal will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. Bert’s family and friends can express condolences online at www.creelfuneralhome.com Service and cremation arrangements are under the care of Creel Funeral Home.  Dalton Henry Mickelberry Dalton Henry Mickelberry, 85, passed away May 8, 2014 at the Community Hospital of Anaconda. Born September 6, 1928 in Hodgeville, Saskatchewan, Dalton was the third child of Henry Estal and Lena Wave (Moulton) Mickelberry. Raised in Willow Creek and Three Forks, he developed a love for horses and ranching at an early age. He met the love of his life, Else Marie Sorensen of Three Forks, and they were married in 1950. After working at various Montana ranches the family moved to Anaconda in 1955 where Dalton began working on the smelter as well as various Deer Lodge Valley ranches. In 1970 the family moved to Opportunity where he could keep his horses near. Dalton retired in 1980 when the smelter closed, allowing him to focus on his horses and mules as well as passing on his knowledge of horses and cows to those who shared his love of all things Cowboy. Else was employed as an LPN at Warm Springs from 1974 until her passing in 1992. Dalton was preceded in death by his wife Else, daughter, Carol Marie Gates; his parents and his sister; Sidney Davis and his brother Gordon Mickelberry. He is survived by his sons; Ken (Yoshiko) and Doug, daughter; Chris, four grandchildren; Justin (Darcie) Mickelberry of Billings, Amanda Mickelberry (Able) Baca of San Diego,Calif.; Andrew and Alex Mickelberry of Merritt Island, Fla.; as well as two great-grandchildren, Scarlette Else Baca and Coraline Rosemarie Mickelberry, his brother; George Mickelberry of Three Forks and sister-in-law, Pat King of Bozeman. Visitation was held on Tuesday, May 13 from 4-7 p.m. and funeral service will be on Wednesday, May 14 at 11 a.m. at Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow at 3:30 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery in Three Forks. Online condolences may be sent at www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com.  Judy Wyant
On Sunday, May 4, 2014, surrounded by her loving family, Judy Wyant, 72, went to sleep and is at peace after her battle with cancer. She was an amazing wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to everyone she met. Judy was born to Lawrence Martin and Molisa Stoumbaugh-Martin on July 23, 1941, in Miles City. As a young girl, her family moved to the Anaconda area. In 1959, she married the love of her life, George D. Wyant. During this loving 52 years of marriage, they raised six children. As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Judy set an example of faith that was a steady encouragement for all who knew her. Her quiet, loving, and supportive nature reflected outstanding Christian qualities that she always put into practice. Judy was happiest when she was serving Jehovah, surrounded by family and friends, or treasure hunting for antiques with her partner in crime, Donna. With everything we did, she would always say, “making memories.” Thank you for all the great memories. Judy was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brother, David Martin; father-in-law, Joe Wyant; and mother-in-law, Fay Wyant. Judy is survived by sons, Rick (Criss), Delbert (Kris), Roger Sr., and George (Lori); and daughters Debbie (Dan) Saltenberger, and Julie (Roland) Rees, as well as a special family addition, Brenda (Bill) Sandin. There are 22 grandchildren — Raymond Saltenberger, Aaron (Brianna) Saltenberger, Crystal (James) Parker, Coulter (Whitney) Wyant, Cayde Wyant, Ceira Wyant, Shezell Wyant-Bragg, Roger Wyant Jr., Emily Wyant, Morgan Wyant, Robert Hamel, Molisa Rees, Krysta Rees, RJ (Christina) Rees, Adam (Kylie) Rees, and Erik (Alesia) Rees; and 25 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is her sister, Joyce (Dale) Coutts; stepmother, Grace Martin; brothers-in-law, Jerry (Sharon) Wyant and Don Wyant; and many other relatives too numerous to mention. We would like to send a special thank you to the Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Dr. Hueftle and the staff at the Cancer Center, Pintler Hospice, and all the great people that have supported our family in this difficult time. A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 9, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 100 N. Elm St., Anaconda, MT. A covered dish reception followed services at Cedar Park Lanes Bowling Alley, 301 N. Cedar, Anaconda. Axelson Alternative Cremation is privileged to serve the Wyant family. Ruth Enger MacCalman Ruth Enger MacCalman died at age 93 on April 24, 2014. Ruth was born to Webster Evans and Hilda Jacobson Evans on April 6, 1921. She was raised on the Evans ranch 10 miles South of Deer Lodge at Racetrack, and lived her whole life in the Deer Lodge Valley. Ruth attended elementary school at a one room school house at Racetrack. She graduated from Powell County High School in Deer Lodge in 1939 and then from Kinman Business College in Spokane. She returned to Deer Lodge in 1941 where she was employed as a bookkeeper for the hardware store of Duvall Wallace. Ruth married Alf Enger, also a Deer Lodge native, in 1943. After his untimely death in 1962 she married Malcolm MacCalman, also of Deer Lodge, in 1972. Malcolm predeceased Ruth in 2007. Ruth was an active member of the community, and was employed for many years as an accountant for the Montana State Prison. She was active in several bridge and social clubs and the Eastern Star, where she was installed as Worthy Grand Matron in 1980. Ruth was a great conversationalist and always took an interest in her many friends. She was a wonderful cook and never happier than when she was making a meal for her precious family. Her passion was always her family and she had two sons and a daughter. David, Gary and Diane were born five years apart beginning in 1945. She is survived by all three of her children with both David (Goldie) and Gary (Julie) residing in Seattle and Diane in Missoula. There are six grandchildren; Kyle Enger, Ashley Allen, Garth Enger, Grant Enger, Alyson Enger, and Keegan Art; and six great-grandchildren, Jack, Ryan, Hannah and Nolan Enger and Davis and Mason Allen. Ruth is also survived by a sister Julia Goldie living in Seattle and a brother George Evans living in Missoula. Stepchildren include Sara MacCalman Halsell and Patrick Halsell, the late Jamie MacCalman and Carolyn Eastman. Grandchildren include: Colin and Marion Halsell and Emily and Michelle MacCalman. To celebrate Ruth’s life, there will be a Memorial which will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Deer Lodge, at 4 p.m. on July 29, 2014. There will be a reception and light supper following. Ruth Enger MacCalman will be interned at Hillcrest Cemetery. Memorials can be made to: Rialto Theatre, P.O. Box 874, Deer Lodge, 59722.  Audrey Nissen Audrey Nissen, 94, of Great Falls, died peacefully at Azalea Place on Thursday, April 24, 2014. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Deer Lodge. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home. Gladys Audrey Nissen was born on February 9, 1920 in Aberdeen, S. D. to Thomas Arthur and Stella Stewart Jones. She graduated from Central High School and Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Education. She taught elementary school in rural South Dakota before moving to Harlowton in 1943 where her father found work with the Milwaukee Railroad. She was teaching in Harlo when she met Ted “Thead” Nissen. They were married on January 20, 1946. From this union a daughter Susan Kay and son, Glenn Edward was born. During her life in Harlo, she was a board member of the Harlowton City Library as well as substitute Librarian, Girl Scout Leader, a member of Eastern Star, and Harlowton Federated Church. She taught several years at the Shawmut Elementary School. In 1964, Ted was promoted by the Milwaukee Railroad and they moved to Deer Lodge where she was an elementary teacher until her retirement in 1980. Audrey was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Deer Lodge, where she served as an elder. She was an avid bridge player well into her 90s, as well as being skilled with jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles. She studied genealogy with her daughter, Susan, keeping the family history well preserved. Her time on earth cannot pass without saying that she was a very special Aunt. She was like a second mother to us all. Everyone has fond memories of repairing books at the Harlo library, camping in “Sammy” the trailer, Dean’s seven layer birthday pie, the best ever Thanksgiving holiday dinners, and college getaways in Deer Lodge. Audrey is survived by her son-in-law, John Lerdal of Des Moines, Iowa; nieces and nephews Janis (Don) Williams of Red Lodge, Nancy (Orren) Reppe of Great Falls, David (Candace) Lewis of Clinton; Dean Lewis of Seaside, Ore., Kathy Schlimgen of Great Falls, Tom (Beth) Lewis of Spokane, Wash., and Jason (Bev) Lewis of East Missoula; sister-in-law Jean Nissen of Harlowton; the Nissen nieces and nephews; and many great and great-great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant son Glenn; and daughter Susan who died in 2010, a month after giving her mother a 90th birthday party; and two sisters Doris Key and Margery Lewis. The family would like to thank Dr. Stacy Kingsland, Sandy, April, Art, and the staff at the Azalea Place. Memorials may be made to the Harlowton Public Library, Harlowton, MT 59036; Deer Lodge Presbyterian Church, Deer Lodge, MT 59722; or a charity of one’s choice. Claire Hansen Wilson Wellington
Claire Hansen Wilson Wellington April 3, 1927-April 29,2014 Born to Orinda and Walter Hansen in Missoula. She attended Gold Creek and Deer Lodge schools. She graduated from Powell County High School in 1945. She found much enjoyment writing letters to our service people abroad during WWII. David and Claire were married in Deer Lodge in 1947 where they raised their four boys. She enjoyed watching David play baseball and they bowled. She loved chaperoning high school football and wrestling activities. Claire worked many jobs but KDRG Radio advertising stories were some of her fondest. She enjoyed square dancing with her Uncle Yens in Missoula where she met Harry Wellington. They were married in 1977. Preceded in death by Orinda and Walter Hansen, husband David, son Edward (Ted) and husband Harry. She is survived by three sons: Richard (Dick) and Sandy Wilson, Anaconda. Steve and Doris Wilson Moses Lake, Wash. Don & Deb Wilson Troy. Eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Services were held on Friday May 2 at 2 p.m. in Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Moses Lake.Wash. She will be laid to rest in Deer Lodge. |
